Global findings in focus

Disease management is a focus of Birchip Cropping Group’s Trials Review Day.

Stripe rust, chocolate spot and grey mould has caused heavy yield losses across large areas of the Wimmera, Mallee and North Central regions.

While the wet weather provided conducive conditions for stripe rust in wheat, chocolate spot in beans and grey mould in lentils, it also made disease management difficult, with many growers unable to access paddocks to spray or getting bogged in the process.

BCG senior manager of extension and communications, Kelly Angel, said with high rainfall and full soil profiles creating a green bridge, spores were likely to carry over to season 2023.

“BCG’s trials review day will deliver strategies for growers to support 2023 disease management decisions to optimise production and ultimately, profitability,” she said.

“Nutrition, varieties, industry trends and farmer experience will also feature, with the latest research delivered to arm farmers with the science required to inform 2023 decisions.”

The European Food Safety Authority will decide whether to continue with the registration of glyphosate in July.

Researcher and agronomist Harm van Rees will present findings of his international farming-without-glyphosate study tour and possible implications for Australian agriculture.

“Without glyphosate, there is no existing answer to how we are going to feed the eight billion and growing world population,” he said.

“Conserving water, retaining stubble, reducing wind and water erosion all improve soil health and are achievable using glyphosate. Glyphosate also allows farmers to sow at the optimum time.

“Combined, these benefits radically improve yields. In our current systems, farming without glyphosate leaves our capacity to feed the billions vulnerable.”

Mr van Rees, with fellow researcher Anne Jackman, travelled through Europe, Canada and

“Public awareness and concerns relating to farm pesticide use is increasing and we can’t ignore the possibility of it happening here,” Mr van Rees said.

“For example, in Argentina, some country towns are banning the use of all agri-chemicals including fertiliser for a 1000 metre zone around the towns’ perimeter. Farmers do not receive any compensation for the loss in the production.”

BCG will launch its ‘2022 Season Research Manual’ — a deep dive into research — at the event.

The trials review day is on February 24 at Birchip Leisure Centre and is a members’ only event.

Registration is available via www.bcg.org.au/ events; people can register to become a member via www.bcg.org.au/memberships